Introduction

Welcome to the next generation of Windows operating systems. Windows XP (WinXP) represents the latest version released by Microsoft, and quite possibly, the most comprehensive. Users have long requested an operating system that would run both business and home applications equally well, and Windows XP is the OS that will allow just that type of interoperability to take place.

This book provides a detailed look into the configuration and operation of Windows XP Professional, which is the successor to Windows 2000 Professional. We start off by talking about the various flavors of Windows XP Home Edition and Professional and also discuss the next generation of server-class operating systems, which will be named Windows .NET Server. Next, we provide a quick overview of the features of Windows XP Professional.

The remaining chapters provide a detailed look into the configuration of the components of Windows XP, such as networking, user configuration, and many others. The Windows XP operating system takes the user experience to an exciting new level, and we hope that this book will be your guide to all of the features and functionality of Windows XP Professional.

Introducing the Windows XP Family

As mentioned earlier, Windows XP represents the combination of the best aspects of several versions of Windows. Windows 9 x and Me were known for their Plug and Play (PnP) capabilities, their multimedia capabilities, and their home user friendliness. Windows 2000 is known for its security features, its robustness, and its business-class performance. Windows XP takes the best...